NATIONAL GAY & LESBIAN TASK FORCE
1734 14th St, NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 332-6483
NGLTF URGES PRESIDENT CLINTON NOT TO APPEAL TO SUPREME COURT FOR
"EXTRAORDINARY" STAY
Washington, D.C. -- (October 25, 1993) -- Responding to reports that the
Clinton Administration has decided to appeal to the Supreme Court for an
emergency stay of U.S. District Judge Terry Hatter's order enjoining the
Department of Defense from discriminating against people based on their
sexual orientation, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) urged
President Clinton today to reconsider that decision.
In a letter faxed this morning to the White House, NGLTF Executive Director
Peri Jude Radecic said, "What is particularly problematic for us is that as
recently as October 3, your public statements indicate that you do not
support the ban (Sacramento, CA - televised town hall meeting), and the new
policy was the best that could be achieved considering conservative
Congressional opposition. Yet your Administration continues to press for the
anti-gay ban in court where Congress has no jurisdiction."
"Even though a U.S. District Court Judge issued a broad ruling enjoining the
Department of Defense from 'taking any action whatsoever' based on a service
member's sexual orientation alone, your Administration is reportedly going to
take extraordinary steps to try and block this order that enacts the very
non-discrimination policy that you promised to implement during your
campaign.
"We ask you to reconsider the course the Administration has taken in
defending this unjust and destructive policy.
"The Department of Justice is already scheduled to argue for the anti-gay
policy in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in December. We respectfully urge
you to instruct the Justice Department not to appeal to the Supreme Court
for an 'extraordinary' request to block Judge Hatter's order," said Radecic
in the letter.
Activists are encouraged to contact the White House and urge the President
not to appeal to the Supreme Court for an emergency stay against Judge
Hatter's order. The White House comment line is (202) 456-1111.